LAKEPORT >> Due to eligibility changes or residence change or other variables, some vets who have been receiving VA medical care for a number of years, are missing out on accessible care but a workshop on July 1 updated navigation procedures to make them more user friendly, if users take the initiative.
Representative Mike Thompson (D-4th) said he himself uses the VA for an injury he sustained while on duty. “They do an outstanding job and our veterans have earned the level of quality care the VA is capable of delivering,” he said.
Thompson was accompanied to the Board of Supervisors’ chambers by a team of VA professionals Monday who informed about two dozen vets to learn how to better navigate through the system in order to receive proper care. Dr Juliana Macri is an internist and director of the Veterans Clinic in the City of Clearlake. She began by praising Nancy Mitchell, the Lake County employee, Veterans Service Office, Veterans Service Representative II.
director of the Veteran’s Benefits Administration for doing a great job of helping so many obtain medical care through the PACT Act in recent years.
Macri explained PACT was to expand Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 for Vets who were exposed to toxic substances while in service. The legislation and health officials are focused on newer exposures such as those from burn pits, pesticides, asbestos, nerve and warfare agents, chemical and biological agents too.
“The big thing to understand is those exposed to toxics in the military are more eligible for medical service through the VA,” she said. “The VA in Clearlake consistently outperforms the private sector in getting people well, by getting blood pressure under control and treating cancer.”
Clearlake clinic also does video visits, telehealth exams as well as specialty care such as cardiology, pulmonology and has surgeons and orthopedic doctors visiting the site regularly. Sergio Chao, director of the Oakland Region VA also explained the advantages of using the VA system. “When I arrived two years ago, we were paying out $280 million in benefits per month,” he recalled. But just this week we now pay out 393 million. Since January 2023 we completed 1.4 million claims.”
He went on to state that there are three groups mainly affected by the PACT Act. These include, Gulf War veterans, the Post 9/11 veterans and Vets affected by Agent Orange, as well as the ailment known as Monoclonal Gammopathy of undetermined significance or MGUS. But also important, the VA now covers Presumptive Conditions. These are ailments acquired while on active duty. Now, military vets no longer need to have the status of active duty to be eligible for benefits. Even those who may contract cancer years after leaving the military service will be eligible for medical care.
A significant number of veterans were denied benefits prior to the PACT Act noted Chao. But even those who are unsure of eligibility are urged to file claims to see if they qualify. They must first submit VA Form 20 0995. Nancy Mitchell explained it can be done online through va.gov. “I’ll make it easy for you, I can fill in the forms on your behalf or you can phone: 707-263-2384.
Douglas Skjerseth is a Vietnam Veteran who makes frequent journeys to San Francisco for medical care. He explained the arduous process he must go through to obtain travel benefits in order to access medical care for back pain among other ailments. “It’s a nightmare when your travel benefits are denied,” he said “I was given benefits for 20 years, but two and a half years ago I visited the online dashboard and suddenly I was told I do not have any travel benefits.” Although Skjerseth attempted to resolve the problem on his own. He recently sought help through the VA office in hopes of breaking the logjam of his benefits allocation. He also said the VA is sometimes behind the curve in obtaining the cutting-edge technology to update records to expedite benefit disbursements.
“The cost of fuel is extremely high and a burden to pay that on your own and you’re not getting your travel pay going through,” Skjerseth said. When he arrives at the clinic he is asked if he still lives at the same address or has anything changed? “No, it’s all the same,” he answered. But a keystroke could now get a payment to that individual, rather than going through filing a claim, filing forms and fighting the system. “I spent three hours on the phone today talking to the individual in San Francisco, ” he explained. “And after a while, you can’t handle it. And after we get older it gets more difficult to sort all these things out.”
Skjerseth said he heard of a cell phone number a person can use to check in the clinic. “And the caller can show a QR code and it will automatically accept your claim in for the travel benefit. “Has anybody ever heard of that?” He went on to state that he has had a number of physical health challenges over recent years. Macri commiserated with the roadblocks he encountered. But part of the problem is the clinic services is run through a centralized call center. There is a shortage of staff, especially after dark, on a weekend or during a holiday.
Macri noted there is a messaging online portal and if a person has a premium version, callers can order medication online or send a message to their medical team, or their specialist to get questions answered. “So, for some of the older veterans I spoke to, who can’t handle (the contact protocols) they have a trusted caregiver who will do it,” she said.
